TEAM BABBITT’S/MONSTER ENERGY®/KAWASAKI RIDER GAVIN FAITH RETAKES THE POINTS LEAD IN DENVER

Courtesy of Kawasaki

After a month-long break, the AMA Arenacross Championship returned to action for Round 7 at the Denver Coliseum in Denver, Colorado. Team Babbitt's/Monster Energy®/Kawasaki rider Gavin Faith raced his KX™250F to a 2-1 finish for second overall and now leads the 250AX Rider Points Standings, as the points reset for the Race to the Cup. 250AX points leader, Jacob Hayes, was forced to race the 250AX Last Chance Qualifier where he finished third, not qualifying to compete in the 250AX Main Events and losing the points lead heading into the points reset.

Racing began with 250AX Heat 2 featuring two championship Kawasaki contenders in riders Faith and Gared Steinke. Faith went on to qualify second, with Steinke third. Shortly after, the riders lined back up on the gate for the first of two 250AX Main Events. When the gate dropped, Faith came around the first turn in second place and instantly began applying relentless pressure on the leader. Faith stayed within a bike-length from the leader's rear wheel for the entire race and went on to finish second in 250AX Main Event 1, with Steinke third. In Main Event 2, Faith got off to another great start and came around Turn 1 in third place. He wasted no time passing for second on lap eight and once again jumped right on the heels of the leader. When the halfway flags came out, Faith made the pass stick in the bowl turn at the end of the whoop section and began to sprint away with the lead. There was no catching the No. 1 Kawasaki of Faith in Main Event 2, as he went on to win his eighth main event of the season with over six seconds to spare.

Faith finished second overall but overtook his teammate in the 250AX Rider Points Standings. The point standings will now be reset for the final five rounds, and the Race to the Ricky Carmichael Cup will begin. Faith will run the red plate as points leader going into Round 8 in Nampa, ID.

"Tonight wasn't easy, but we finished strong," said Faith. "The track tonight was a lot longer and rougher than usual. I got off to two great starts tonight and seriously left it all on the track, so I am pumped to leave here second overall and to take back the red plate."

"It was a tough night for me," said Hayes. "After the restart in the heat race, I ended up in a crash that involved myself and a few other riders. I lined back up for the LCQ, and after starting in the back row, I did what I could to get through the field, but ran out of time to make it into a transfer position. We'll shake this weekend off and move on to Nampa."

In the AX Lites Class, Round 1 of the AX Lites West Coast Championship kicked off with defending west coast champion, GFP Babbitt's Online rider Ryan Breece leading wire to wire from gate drop to the checkered flag. Teammate, Isaac Teasdale, raced his KX250F through the competition to finish on the podium in second place.

'It was a great night in Denver," said Breece. "I got off to a great start and lead every lap with my teammate right behind me. My GPF Babbitt's Online Kawasaki was on rails! Can't wait for Round 2."

250AX Class Race to the Cup Championship Standings

1. Gavin Faith 10

2. Chris Blose 9

3. Jacob Hayes 8

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